Palmer woman nets 3rd in Salmon Projects’ haiku contest’

PALMER — Loree Rayback of Palmer was announced as the third-place winner in the adult category of the Salmon Project’s annual Salmon Haiku Contest.

The statewide poetry competition encouraged participants to express their love of salmon and demonstrate their understanding of salmon habitat.

“The haiku process was really valuable because it made me think of the little salmon and how they got into the river,” Rayback said. “I even did a little research!”

She wrote:

“Kvichak River runs

Bright red with kinship bloodlines

Sockeye relatives”

Salmon Project Executive Director Erin Harrington said it’s clear from the contest’s second year that Alaskans are good poets who truly love salmon.

“We were blown away by the diversity and quality of submissions and have learned, through every one of our projects and campaigns, that Alaskans are always eager to express their love and gratitude for Alaska salmon,” she said.

Judges of the contest included Peggy Shumaker, Alaska State Writer Laureate from 2010-2012, and Professor Derek Burleson who teaches creative writing and literature at the University of Alaska Fairbanks.

This year’s contest theme of salmon habitat was a preview of The Salmon Project’s summer initiative, Baby Salmon Live Here, which will be a series of activities encouraging Alaskans to get outside and explore the places around them where juvenile salmon live.

For more information, visit salmonproject.org.